Tony Escalante’s Weight Class Jump and Golden Comeback Attempt
By Isaiah Montoya
Tony Escalante, El Paso’s 133 pound pro boxing sensation has a lot riding on his next fight, slated for March 25, 2011. He is currently in Houston preparing for the biggest fight of his young career.
Previously ranked #1 in the world by several boxing federations, Escalante is now ranked #7 due to the loss of his last fight in late 2010.
In order to improve upon his stellar pro winning record Escalante has implemented a new trainer into his camp; Ronnie Shields. Shields is a well-known trainer who has worked with the likes of ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson and Rocky Juarez.
“I did not want to get out of El Paso to train but I had to so I could work with Shields,” said Escalante, during a phone interview with City Beat Magazine. “Up until three weeks ago I was basically in charge of my entire workout routine, which I slacked on, and through my new training regimen I have a more routine training process, which will help me win the next fight. Someone is now holding me accountable and waiting for at 6 am for workout.”
Although Escalante is jumping weight class from 126 pounds to 133 pounds, the 5’6” boxer is confident, aided by the fact that the advisory committee actually allows any boxer who moves up or down a weight class to maintain their ranking from their previous class.
“I am going to be stronger, but then so are my opponents at the new weight class,” he said.
His current contract with Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions will be up at the end of March 2011, so he is focused like never before to show his skills to get a newer, better contract from Golden Boy, or entertain another lucrative offer from another promotion. “Whoever gives me the most is who I will go with,” said Escalante.
He still does not know who his upcoming opponent will be, which gives his reason to require a trainer and train harder than ever.
“They take care of everything,” explained Escalante. “The pressure is off of me so I can now just focus on doing the work.”
Escalante is currently about to start sparring with other boxers to begin his hands on fight training. “I am super confident,” he said. “I have never had a trainer like this and I am beginning to wonder whether or not some of the public has given up on me already.”
Escalante is only 25. “So many things happened in the last fight, which I lost, so I do not want people in El Paso to lose hope,” said the Ciudad Juarez native. “It was not me in the last fight. I was so dumb and my trainer was bad. But I have a message to all my El Paso fans: Do not lose hope in me. I am going to make a great comeback and I have courage and I am still here. I will win my next fight!”